Explaining how it may happen, (though) rarely, that a disciple sincerely puts his faith in a false impostor (and believes) that he is a (holy) personage, and by means of this faith attains unto a (spiritual) degree which his Shaykh has never (even) dreamed of, and (then) fire and water do him no hurt, though they hurt his Shaykh; but this occurs very seldom.

لیک نادر طالب آید کز فروغ ** در حق او نافع آید آن دروغ‌‌

But exceptionally comes (the case of) a disciple to whom, because of his (spiritual) illumination, that falsehood (of the impostor) is beneficial.

او به قصد نیک خود جایی رسد ** گر چه جان پنداشت و آن آمد جسد

He, by his goodly purpose, attains unto a (high) degree, although he fancied (the impostor to be) soul, and that (soul) proved to be (only) body.

چون تحری در دل شب قبله را ** قبله نی و آن نماز او روا2285

(It is) like trying to find the qibla in the heart (depth) of night: the qibla is not (found), but his (the seeker's) prayer is valid.

مدعی را قحط جان اندر سر است ** لیک ما را قحط نان بر ظاهر است‌‌

The impostor has a dearth of soul within, but we have a dearth of bread without.

ما چرا چون مدعی پنهان کنیم ** بهر ناموس مزور جان کنیم‌‌

Why should we conceal (our poverty) like the impostor and suffer agony for the sake of false reputation?”

صبر فرمودن اعرابی زن خود را و فضیلت صبر و فقر بیان کردن با زن‌‌

How the Bedouin bade his wife be patient and declared to her the excellence of poverty.

شوی گفتش چند جویی دخل و کشت ** خود چه ماند از عمر افزون‌‌تر گذشت‌‌

Her husband said to her, “How long wilt thou seek income and seed-produce? What indeed is left of (our) life? Most (of it) is past.

عاقل اندر بیش و نقصان ننگرد ** ز آن که هر دو همچو سیلی بگذرد

The sensible man does not look at increase or deficiency, because both (these) will pass by like a torrent.

خواه صاف و خواه سیل تیره رو ** چون نمی‌‌پاید دمی از وی مگو2290

Whether it (life) be pure (clear and untroubled) or whether it be a turbid flood, do not speak of it, since it is not enduring for a moment.

اندر این عالم هزاران جانور ** می‌‌زید خوش عیش بی‌‌زیر و زبر

In this world thousands of animals are living happily, without up and down (anxiety).

شکر می‌‌گوید خدا را فاخته ** بر درخت و برگ شب ناساخته‌‌

The dove on the tree is uttering thanks to God, though her food for the night is not (yet) ready.

How the wife counselled her husband, saying, “Do not use expressions (which are) beyond thy merit and (spiritual) rank—‘why say ye that which ye do not?’—for although these words are true, yet thou hast not attained to the degree of trust in God, and to speak thus above thy station and devotional practice is harmful and ‘exceedingly hateful in the sight of God.’”

زن بر او زد بانگ کای ناموس کیش ** من فسون تو نخواهم خورد بیش‌‌2315

The wife cried out at him, saying, “O thou who makest reputation thy religion, I will not swallow thy spells (deceiving speeches) any more.